The Sphinx at the Pool

Maya floated on her back in the pool, staring up at the palm trees swaying against the California sky. She felt like a total zombie—finals week had literally drained her soul. Around her, the popular kids laughed and splashed, living their best lives while she replayed every awkward moment from freshman year in her head.

"Hey, you gonna float there all day?"

Maya flipped over to see Sophie standing poolside. Everyone called Sophie "the Sphinx" because she was always watching, always knowing people's secrets without saying a word. She was gorgeous in that effortless way that made Maya's chest tight.

"Just thinking," Maya said, which was the lamest response ever.

Sophie sat on the edge and dangled her feet in the water. "About what?"

"Stuff. You know. Life. The universe. Why I'm socially awkward."

Sophie laughed, and it wasn't mean. "Dude, same. Everyone thinks I'm all mysterious but really I'm just overthinking everything like 24/7."

Maya swam closer. "Wait, really? But you're—you're Sophie. You have like, actual chill."

"Fake chill," Sophie said, holding up her hand. "Here. Give me your palm."

Maya blinked. "What?"

"I've been watching these palm reading tutorials online. I'm kinda obsessed. It's probably BS but let me try."

Maya pulled herself out of the water and sat beside Sophie, extending her hand. Sophie traced the lines with surprisingly gentle fingers.

"You're gonna do something creative," Sophie said, her voice soft. "Something big. But you're scared people won't get it."

Maya's throat went tight. That was it exactly. She'd been writing songs for months but hadn't shown anyone.

"And," Sophie continued, "you're lonely. Like, you think you're the only one who feels different, but you're not."

They sat there for a moment, palm trees whispering above them, pool water lapping against the edges.

"I write songs," Maya whispered.

Sophie's face lit up. "No way. I play guitar. We should jam sometime."

"Really?"

"Duh. You're not the only zombie here, Maya. We're all just pretending to be okay."

For the first time all year, Maya didn't feel like an imposter. She felt real.